Post by FUBeAR on Oct 7, 2014 8:55:33 GMT -5
...they went toe-to-toe with 17th ranked and undefeated Eastern Kentucky last week despite the final score...especially in the 1st half.
EKU's 1st score was a FG after moving the ball 18 yards. EKU's 2nd score was a TD after an interception gave them the ball at APSU's 15 yard line. Their final score of the 1st half to go up 17-0 was a 42 yard Hail Mary pass (chunk) caught with no time on the clock...and APSU was hit with a personal foul on the play which was assessed as they kicked off for the 2nd half....and, of course, EKU had a big return to APSU's 11 yard line, from which they scored in 2 plays...so, 17 points on drives of a total of 44 yards...and another 7 on what could be called a 'fluke' play. Their final score was their only extended drive for a TD - 9 plays, 69 yards.
So....APSU's Defense is pretty dang good. They are big and athletic. EKU had scored 55 and 49 points in their prior 2 games, while putting up over 500 yards of offense in each of those games. They had 354 vs. APSU
APSU's schedule has been REALLY TOUGH - Lost to FBS Memphis (who has only lost to highly-ranked UCLA & Ole Miss), FCS 13th ranked Chattanooga, Eastern Illinois (who has only lost to FBS teams and Top 15 ranked FCS teams), 15th ranked & undefeated Illinois State, and EKU.
All that said, their offense has shot themselves in the foot with untimely turnovers and penalties...but they are only averaging 0.8 fumbles lost and 0.8 interceptions thrown/game, while our Bears are averaging 0.83 and 1.0 respectively. In penalties against, they are averaging 7.8 penalties and 78.6 yards/game. Our Bears are averaging 8.16 penalties for 75.33 yards/game. So...the foot-shooting has been about equal.
Bottom Line - our opponent this week is a lot better than an 0-17 streak would indicate (regardless of what you may read on other message boards). In order to win, we will need to play much better on offense this week than we did against Samford, continue to play well on defense, and protect our feet from any self-inflicted damage.
EKU's 1st score was a FG after moving the ball 18 yards. EKU's 2nd score was a TD after an interception gave them the ball at APSU's 15 yard line. Their final score of the 1st half to go up 17-0 was a 42 yard Hail Mary pass (chunk) caught with no time on the clock...and APSU was hit with a personal foul on the play which was assessed as they kicked off for the 2nd half....and, of course, EKU had a big return to APSU's 11 yard line, from which they scored in 2 plays...so, 17 points on drives of a total of 44 yards...and another 7 on what could be called a 'fluke' play. Their final score was their only extended drive for a TD - 9 plays, 69 yards.
So....APSU's Defense is pretty dang good. They are big and athletic. EKU had scored 55 and 49 points in their prior 2 games, while putting up over 500 yards of offense in each of those games. They had 354 vs. APSU
APSU's schedule has been REALLY TOUGH - Lost to FBS Memphis (who has only lost to highly-ranked UCLA & Ole Miss), FCS 13th ranked Chattanooga, Eastern Illinois (who has only lost to FBS teams and Top 15 ranked FCS teams), 15th ranked & undefeated Illinois State, and EKU.
All that said, their offense has shot themselves in the foot with untimely turnovers and penalties...but they are only averaging 0.8 fumbles lost and 0.8 interceptions thrown/game, while our Bears are averaging 0.83 and 1.0 respectively. In penalties against, they are averaging 7.8 penalties and 78.6 yards/game. Our Bears are averaging 8.16 penalties for 75.33 yards/game. So...the foot-shooting has been about equal.
Bottom Line - our opponent this week is a lot better than an 0-17 streak would indicate (regardless of what you may read on other message boards). In order to win, we will need to play much better on offense this week than we did against Samford, continue to play well on defense, and protect our feet from any self-inflicted damage.